I am 16 years old and working on projects for school about what I want to be, what college I'd like to go to, and so forth. I have been wanting to be a neonatal nurse (practitioner eventually) since I was about 10 or 11. My sister was born 3 months premature, and weighed 3 lbs. We were told by the doctor that she would most likely not survive. Clearly she proved the doctors wrong. She had to be hooked up to a bunch of machines, put in an incubator, and several other things. We weren't allowed to even touch her for a while. She was in there for over 2 months. My family and I spent a lot of the time in the NICU, and we got pretty close with her nurses. I have ever since wanted to be a nurse in the NICU. Now that I'm older and have to be looking into colleges and such, I'm really stumped on what path I should take, and I would like advice and personal experiences from others. Clearly it's still kind of early, but I'd like to have an idea of what I'm going to do. My considerations are:
Go to a community college and get my ASN, and get experience while working towards my BSN or MSN. (May be less expensive and maybe more beneficial I feel like?)
Go to a four-year college and go straight to getting my BSN, and eventually my MSN.
What do I have to have to specialize in neonatology? I realize I probably have to get some experience in working in nursing in general.
Is there a better route?
I just want advice and personal stories. Sorry if this is not really meant for this site. Thanks for the help!
(PS I know working in the NICU will be hard, and not every baby will survive. I've wanted to do this for over 6 years and I've done tons of research, written many papers, etc about it. I've thought about other careers and nothing really interests me as much as this.)
I'm a pre-nursing student and although I am now applying to BSN programs, I was just like you at the age of 16! Instead of going to a 4 year university I went to community college to do my pre-reqs. I saved a ton of money by doing this and am applying to schools, for a BSN, as a transfer student. I do not regret one single thing about this route and highly recommend it to others if they are able to go this route also! Unless of course you want to experience the thrill of living on campus as a freshman and so forth, then so be it but just consider: would you rather save money and enjoy family meals for another 2 years or live in a dorm? :) Best of luck to you!
First off, EXCELLENT work on researching & seeking out advice for the road to your potential future. I think thats an AMAZING idea!!!
My personal opinion, I would go ahead & get your BSN if its feasible. Especially, if you want to go back to school be an NNP or a practitioner of any kind. I know that NNP school you have to have at least 1 year experience when you apply & 2 years of NICU experience by the time you start your clinical rotation for NNP. This may not be how all schools are, but the school a few of my friends go to this is their requirements.
While your in school for BSN you will study & do clinical's in several different areas. I have ALWAYS known I wanted to be a NICU nurse, as well, so during my critical care rotation I was in the NICU & this sealed the deal for me. Clinical time also gave me an idea of other areas I would be interested in & others I don't think would be a good fit for me.
There are SOME hospitals that won't hire new-grad's into the NICU, they would like you to have 1 year pediatric experience as an RN. The hospital I work at WILL hire new-grads, so don't let this get to you until you know what your future hospital requires.
I hope that this answers some of your questions. Feel free to ask if you think of anything else.
First off, EXCELLENT work on researching & seeking out advice for the road to your potential future. I think thats an AMAZING idea!!!
My personal opinion, I would go ahead & get your BSN if its feasible.
How I worked towards my BSN, I went to a community college & got my AS degree (Associates of Science). Then I transferred all those credits to a 4yr college to go to nursing school. If this sounds like something your interested in you need to contact your community college & 4yr college to see if your credits will transfer from one school to the other, & if they will only accept X amount of credit hours from another school. Lastly, see if there are any other pre-req's that the 4yr college may need you to take before applying & starting nursing school. (Sorry if this is confusing)
If you want to go back to school be an NNP or a practitioner of any kind having your BSN will bring you one step closer to starting NNP school. I know that NNP school you have to have at least 1 year experience when you apply & 2 years of NICU experience by the time you start your clinical rotation for NNP. This may not be how all schools are, but the school a few of my friends go to this is their requirements.
While your in school for BSN you will study & do clinical's in several different areas. I have ALWAYS known I wanted to be a NICU nurse, as well, so during my critical care rotation I was in the NICU & this sealed the deal for me. Clinical time also gave me an idea of other areas I would be interested in & others I don't think would be a good fit for me.
There are SOME hospitals that won't hire new-grad's into the NICU, they would like you to have 1 year pediatric experience as an RN. The hospital I work at WILL hire new-grads, so don't let this get to you until you know what your future hospital requires.
I hope that this answers some of your questions. Feel free to ask if you think of anything else.
I'm currently in the last semester of a BSN program. I'll start my job in the NICU upon graduation and receiving my temporary license (probably the end of May or the beginning of June).
Throughout nursing school, I was an ER tech (they liked that I had a background in a high stress, fast paced environment). I got involved in quality improvement projects on my unit and was active in the unit council. I think this is what gave me the edge over other applicants. I originally applied for a nurse tech job in this NICU, but didn't get it because I was so close to graduation already. The manager told me to apply for the RN job when it posted. Still, that interview got me the RN job. I studied for the interview hard. I watched YouTube videos about interview questions, I practiced my answers, and I did lots of research on that hospital and the NICU. As nervous as I was, I tried to smile as much as possible and watch my body language. I also shadowed in the NICU (at a different hospital) which showed them that I had a lot of interest. When the RN job finally posted (after months of waiting), I applied and emailed the manager.
Hi, i was wondering if I gave you my email if you could email me and answer any questions I may have? I also have to interview someone that is in the career I want to be in when i'm older for school, and once I get more information and instruction on that, if you'd be willing to let me? I'd appreciate it so much!
I am a new BSN grad as of August of 2014 and I work in a large level three neonatal ICU. I did an Accelerated BSN program in 15 months (post bachelors) which I feel very well prepared me to work in the NICU. I was also involved in the nursing student national honor society and student nurse associations. Feel free to pm me with any questions :)
I start college this Fall, I am getting my BSN. I am doing all my prerequisites at a local community college, then I will transfer to a 4 year university!
It's good to start thinking early! Well I went to our local community college to get my prereqs. I took summer classes, winter minis so I could get into nursing school asap. I thought about doing the adn program but I didn't want to go back for more prereqs after I'm a rn so i can get my bsn. So I just got my prereqs for a community college then applied to UTHSC Houston and will start next month! If you're dedicated, you can get it over fast. I'm only 19 & will graduate next summer :) I have a friend who did her prereqs, is getting her adn then bsn because some hospital will pay for you to go back to school. It's a longer route that way but it's all about your preferences & situation!
misscurls
52 Posts
I'm a pre-nursing student and although I am now applying to BSN programs, I was just like you at the age of 16! Instead of going to a 4 year university I went to community college to do my pre-reqs. I saved a ton of money by doing this and am applying to schools, for a BSN, as a transfer student. I do not regret one single thing about this route and highly recommend it to others if they are able to go this route also! Unless of course you want to experience the thrill of living on campus as a freshman and so forth, then so be it but just consider: would you rather save money and enjoy family meals for another 2 years or live in a dorm? :) Best of luck to you!